Noise-making toy top

ABSTRACT

A toy top having a housing with a gyroscopic-type rotor mounted on a freely rotatable shaft that extends below the housing and terminates at a spinning tip which supports the top in spinning engagement with a playing surface, the top including impeller structure rotating with the rotor within the housing, and the latter including intake and exhaust apertures for allowing the impeller to draw air into the housing and expel the air in a flow interrupted at an audible frequency.

United States Paten Bagin'ski et a1.

[ 1 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] NOISE-MAKING TOY TOP [72] Inventors: Albert R. Baginski, Torrance; John T. Benson, Los Angeles; Jacob DeGelder, Torrance; Gabriel Marason, Jr., Los Angeles, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

[22] Filed: Nov. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 86,016

[52] US. Cl ..46/66, 46/179 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 1/28 [58] Field of Search ..46/50, 66, 179

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS V 2,456,341 12/1948 Thoresen ,.,4 6/66 2,762,162 9/1956 Doljan ..46/50 3,523,386 8/1970 Brown ..46/50 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting At!orneySeymour A. Scholnick [57] ABSTRACT A toy top having a housing with a gyroscopic-type rotor mounted on a freely rotatable shaft that extends below the housing and terminates at a spinning tip which supports the top in spinning engagement with a playing surface, the top including impeller structure rotating with the rotor within the housing, and the latter including intake and exhaust apertures for allowing the impeller to draw air into the housing and expel the air in a flow interrupted at an audible frequency.

. C m D aw Fi r Patented Feb. 2%, 1972 3,645,037

NOISE-MAKING rov TOP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

v devices are known as tops or spinning tops. Such tops may take any of many different forms, some being very simple in construction comprising only a disc transversely mounted along a shaft which is rotated merely by twisting between the users fingers. Others are more elaborate and require that a cord be wound about a portion of the top, which cord when pulled briskly by its user, imparts through the top a desired rotation. I

As the toy top art has developed over the years, the tendency has been to develop tops having less classical appearance and which utilize more sophisticated configurations such as tops having housings which conceal and protect the rotating annular rim of a rotatable hub member so that it will not accidentally come into contact with obstructions or the users hand and cause it to lose momentum.

In more recent times, the toy industry has moved away from top configurations having fixed pivot arms which support the top and has developed spinning tops which have a housing enclosing an elongated, rotor-carrying shaft freely rotatively supported in and extending from the housing and with a spinning tip in spinning engagement with a playing surface for supporting the housing, but being independently rotatable with respect to the housing. Such a toy is fully described in a copending patent application, Ser. No. 730,175, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Even with the above-described attributes, these spinning tops all have the disadvantage of easily becoming boring to watch. Although separate accessories may be obtained to increase interest in these toys, it should be evident that a technique which would cause such added interest and amusement without requiring additional accessories constitutes a significant advancement of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION noise-making toy top which changes its audible pitch with' changes in the relative rotational speeds of the tips rotor and its housing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an economical to fabricate and a relatively simple structured noise-making toy top.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a technique which allows a manufacturer to utilize an appreciable number of components of conventional toy tops as described in the aforementioned copending patent application, Ser. No. 730,175 and provide, with few additional components, a significantly different and amusing toy.

According to the present invention, a noise-making toy top is provided basically of the type having a housing with a gyroscopic-type rotor mounted on a freely rotatable shaft that extends below the housing and which tenninates at a spinning tip that supports the top in spinning engagement with a playing surface. The improvement includes animpeller structure associated and rotatable with the rotor, and also aperture means included withthe housing for allowing air to be drawn into the housing and expelled therefrom in a flow interrupted at an audible frequency by the action of the impeller in conjunction with the aperture means when the impeller is rotated, with the rotor, relative to the housing.

The aperture means may comprise a housing intake aperture and also a plurality of exhaust apertures in the housing adjacent the peripheral extremity of the impeller. The impeller maybe a molded element having blades or vanes extending radially from a tubular hub that frictionally attaches to the upper portion of the rotating shaft just above the rotor.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is 'an exploded view, in perspective, of a noise-making toy top having a spinning tip in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the axis of rotation of the rotating shaft of the toy top seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the upper housing seen in FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the underside of the impeller as seen fromline 44 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a noise-making toy top 11 of the type having a housing 12 with an upper section 13 and a lower section 15 and with a gyroscopic-type rotor 17 mounted on a freely rotatable shaft 19 supported at an upper bearing 21 and a lower bearing 23, the shaft 19 extending below a neck portion 25 of the lower housing section 15 and terminating at a spinning tip 27 which supports the top 11 in spinning engagement with a playing surface 29.

An impeller 31 is mounted on a tapered upper portion 33 of the shaft 19 and is disposed adjacent the rotor 17. This member, like the upper and lower housing sections 13 and 15, may be molded in any conventional manner such as a vacuum process, for example, from any conventional materials such as high impact styrene. In order to provide more density for a better and longer lasting gyroscopic effect, the rotor 17 and shaft 19 may be integrally molded from any suitable metal such as, for example, an aluminum alloy or steel, etc. Such synthetic material as acetal may be used in fabricating the lower bearing 23, and a relatively resilient or soft material such as urethane may be utilized for a starting tip 35 mounted on a splined lower shaft portion 37 extending below the housing neck portion 25.

The impeller 31, as best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4, includes a tubular hub 39 havinga lower open end 41 and an upper stud bearing end 43. A plurality of vertical vanes or blades 45 extend radially from generally the central portion of the hub 39 and these blades all have upwardly extending end portions 47 that terminate in an annular rim 49; Chamber defining members51 extend downwardly from the rim 49 essentially perpendicular to and projecting on either side of the blades 45 so that gaps 53 are provided between adjacent ones of the mem bets 5 1.

Of course, the outer periphery of the impeller 31 is molded to conform to the inner wall surface 55 of the upper housing 13 so that when the impeller is rotating with the rotor 17 relative to the housing 12, a close but friction-free relationship exists between this rotating element and the housing.

In order to obtain the sound-producing effects of the present invention, relatively large intake apertures 57 are disposed in the upper housing section 13 adjacent an accessory accepting cup 59 immediately above the upper bearing 21. The apertures 57 allow air to be drawn into the housing by the action of the rotating impeller 31. This air is expelled in a flow interrupted at an audible rate or frequency through a plurality of exhaust apertures disposed, in the form of relatively narrow vertical slots 61, in the periphery of the upper housing section 13 adjacent the impeller members 51 and gaps 53. Reinforcing the connection between the cup-bearing structure and the remainder of the upper section 13, and also providing a turbine compressorlike configuration in conjunction with the blade 45 of the impeller 31, are vertical frame or rib members 63.

The top 1 1 may be assembled by first inserting and crimping and/or bonding the lower bearing 23 in an aperture 65 in the neck portion 25 and then inserting the lower shaft portion 37 through the bearing 23 and pressing the starting tip 35 on the splines thereof, over the spinning tip 27. The impeller 31 is then mounted by, pressing the lower open end 41 of the tubular hub 39 over the tapered shaft portion 33. Lastly, the upper section 13 of the housing 12 is placed over the impeller and rotor so that the stud bearing 43 seats in the cap bearing 21 and so that peripheral lips 65 and 67 of the respective housing sections 13 and 15 interlock and are bonded about this interlock by conventional means such as an adhesive, heat, or sonic welding, for example.

In operation, the top 11 is activated by gripping the housing and moving the top in a generally lateral or curveddirection with an outer surface 69 of the starting tip 35 in contact with the playing surface 29, causing the tip 35, the rotor and shaft 17 and 19, and the impeller 31 to rotate relative to the housing 12. Air is drawn into the housing, by reason of a partial vacuum therein, through the intake apertures 57 where it is compressed to some extent by the rims, 63 and the impeller blades 45. The air is forced out of the housing 12 by centrifugal force through the exhaust slots 61 only when the gaps 53, between the chamber defining member 51, are in line with the slot 61; there preferably being as many gaps as there are slots. The alternate opening and closing of the exhaust passages by this arrangement provides a pulsating or chopped outward flow of air having an audible frequency that varies with the relative speed between the impeller 31 and the housing 12.

As frictional bearing forces cause the housing to gradually attain the rotational speed of the rotor and impeller, the sirenlike noise will cease, but may again be increased in magnitude and frequency by merely temporarily gripping the housing while the spinning tip is still rotating.

From the foregoing, it should be evident that a very entertaining and simple to fabricate noise-making toy has been described in the form of a toy top having a housing and a gyroscopic rotor mounted on freely rotatable shaft that extends below the housing and terminates at a spinning tip in spinning engagement with a playing surface.

It is to be pointed out that the materials and processes used in fabricating the various parts and elements shown are not critical and any material and forming process generally recognized as suitable for similar applications may be utilized.

It should be further clear from the foregoing that the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and embodiments not shown, all within the attainment of one skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty.

What is claimed is:

1. In a toy top of the type having a housing with a gyroscopic-type rotor mounted on a freely rotatable shaft that extends below said housing and terminating at a spinning tip which supports said top in spinning engagement with a playing surface, the improvement comprising:

impeller structure mounted above and rotatable with said rotor; and aperture means included in said housing for allowing air to be drawn into said housin and expelled therefrom in a flow interrupted at an audi le frequency by the action of said impeller in conjunction with said aperture means when said impeller is rotated with said rotor relative to said housing.

2. In a toy top according to claim 1, wherein said aperture means includes at least one intake aperture in said housing, and also includes a plurality of exhaust apertures in said housing adjacent the peripheral extremity of said impeller.

3. In a toy top according to claim 2, wherein said exhaust apertures are equidistantly spaced vertically disposed elongated slots. I

4. In a toy top according to claim 2, wherein said aperture means includes a plurality of said intake apertures adjacent the top of said housing above said exhaust apertures.

5. In a toy according to claim 1, wherein said impeller structure includes a plurality of radially extending blades, each in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said elongated shaft.

, 6. in a toy according to claim 5, wherein the upper portion of each of said blades is attached to an annular rim, and wherein chamber defining members extend downwardly from said rim essentially perpendicular to and projecting on both sides of the outermost extremity of each of said blades leaving a gap between adjacent ones of said members.

7. In a toy according to claim 6, wherein said housing includes a cap bearing member extending downwardly from the interior thereof coaxial with the access of rotation of said shaft, and wherein said impeller structure includes an axially disposed tubular hub from which said blades radially extend,

the upper portion of said hub having a stud bearing surface to seat in said cap bearing member, and the lower portion of said hub being adapted to seat over and frictionally grip the upper portion of said shaft.

8. In a toy according to claim 7, wherein said housing also includes vertical ribs extending radially from the outer surface of said cap bearing member, the extremities of said ribs being adjacent but spaced from the upper extremities of said impeller blades to provide a compressor effect within said housmg.

9. In a toy top of the type having a housing with a gyroscopic-type motor mounted on a freely rotatable shaft that extends below the housing and terminating at a spinning tip which supports the top in spinning engagement with a plane surface, the improvement comprising:

impeller structure mounted above and rotatable with said rotor, said structure including a plurality of radially extending blades, each in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said elongated shaft, the upper portion of each of said blades being attached to an annular rim, said structure also including chamberdefining members extending downwardly from said rim essentially perpendicular to and projecting on both sides of the uppermost extremity of each of said blades leaving a gap between adjacent ones of said members; and

aperture means included in said housing for allowing air to be drawn into said housing and expelled therefrom in a flow interrupted at an audible frequency by the action of said impeller in conjunction with said aperture means when said impeller is rotated with said rotor relative to said housing. 

1. In a toy top of the type having a housing with a gyroscopictype rotor mounted on a freely rotatable shaft that extends below said housing and terminating at a spinning tip which supports said top in spinning engagement with a playing surface, the improvement comprising: impeller structure mounted above and rotatable with said rotor; and aperture means included in said housing for allowing air to be drawn into said housing and expelled therefrom in a flow interrupted at an audible frequency by the action of said impeller in conjunction with said aperture means when said impeller is rotated with said rotor relative to said housing.
 2. In a toy top according to claim 1, wherein said aperture means includes at least one intake aperture in said housing, and also includes a plurality of exhaust apertures in said housing adjacent the peripheral extremity of said impeller.
 3. In a toy top according to claim 2, wherein said exhaust apertures are equidistantly spaced vertically disposed elongated slots.
 4. In a toy top according to claim 2, wherein said aperture means includes a plurality of said intake apertures adjacent the top of said housing above said exhaust apertures.
 5. In a toy according to claim 1, wherein said impeller structure includes a plurality of radially extending blades, each in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said elongated shaft.
 6. In a toy according to claim 5, wherein the upper portion of each of said blades is attached to an annular rim, and wherein chamber defining members extend downwardly from said rim essentially perpendicular to and projecting on both sides of the outermost extremity of each of said blades leaving a gap between adjacent ones of said members.
 7. In a toy according to claim 6, wherein said housing includes a cap bearing member extending downwardly from the interior thereof coaxial with the access of rotation of said shaft, and wherein said impeller structure includes an axially disposed tubular hub from which said blades radially extend, the upper portion of said hub having a stud bearing surface to seat in said cap bearing member, and the lower portion of said hub being adapted to seat over and frictionally grip the upper portion of said shaft.
 8. In a toy according to claim 7, wherein said housing also includes vertical ribs extending radially from the outer surface of said cap bearing member, the extremities of said ribs being adjacent but spaced from the upper extremities of said impeller blades to provide a compressor effect within said housing.
 9. In a toy top of the type having a housing with a gyroscopic-type motor mounted on a freely rotatable shaft that extends below the housing and terminating at a spinning tip which supports the top in spinning engagement with a plane surface, the improvement comprising: impeller structure mounted above and rotatable with said rotor, said structure including a plurality of radially extending blades, each in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of said elongated shaft, the upper portion of each of said blades being attached to an annular rim, said structure also including chamber-defining members extending downwardly from said rim essentially perpendicular to and projecting on both sides of the uppermost extremity of each of said blades leaving a gap between adjacent ones of said members; and aperture means included in said housing for allowing air to be drawn into said housing And expelled therefrom in a flow interrupted at an audible frequency by the action of said impeller in conjunction with said aperture means when said impeller is rotated with said rotor relative to said housing. 